| Popis: |
Chapter 3 elucidates in detail how a large number of attacks on democracy were propelled by fear of the changes it would bring about in society. This does not mean that democracy would have altered things quite so irrevocably; what matters, though, is that in the eye of the authorities, and of many intellectuals, a democratic society was perceived to do just that. For them, democracy constituted the opening of the floodgates for the worst types of disruptions: the abolition of traditional societal practices inculcating deference and all sense of hierarchy; the instauration of conventicles-based free preaching; and the entitlement of base mechanics to express their unpredictable judgement on things they knew nothing of. This chapter stresses how criticism of Brownists, MPs, and libellers as democratic agents was coupled with scorn for the multitude. The latter formed the underlying thread weaving together a socially and ideologically variegated pattern of positions on the anti-democratic canvas. Moreover, this chapter examines those who were denigrated—from many professional standpoints, social angles, and ideological positions—as English propagators of democracy: amongst them were various Protestant groups belonging to the more radical factions of the Reformation, who were accused of operating from within plotting conventicles. There were also MPs who vented their popular opposition to the monarchy in tribunitial style, as well as rebellious plebeians who were blamed for inflaming an already tense socio-economic atmosphere in the country. Ignorant mechanics appropriating words and spaces in order to voice their political discontent appeared on the anti-democratic radar too. |
